Erin Akin Carroll

Maybe it’s because we sprung forward on Sunday, but I’ve felt like every day this week was Friday. On Monday, I thought it felt like Friday. Now Friday is finally here. I know you’re probably thinking, “Erin, you’re a stay-at-home mom. How is Friday any different from any other day?” If you think that, you have a point. But there is something really great about having Todd here with me during the day and being able to spend time as a family. I feel less like there’s work to be done around the house and more like I can play and enjoy my whole family being at the house.

In no particular order, these are the little things that made me happy this week:

1. Felicity on DVD. I’m a woman on a mission. I finished Season 1 (that I got through Netflix) on Tuesday and then started Season 2 (that I got from Amy of Playing House). I finished Season 2 last night and I’ll be patiently waiting for Netflix to bring Season 3 to my house. I’ve pretty much been wasting Hudson’s naptime on watching Felicity DVDs, but I love this show. I watched it a little bit in high school and a little bit in college. But I’m pretty sure I didn’t see every episode.

It is so good. It is so much like college– except I’m pretty sure I would have liked college a lot more if I had gone to school in New York. Keri Russell has such a flawless face and natural way about her. There’s not a lot of loud drama and there are very few misunderstandings (which can be so frustrating for the viewer). I just love this show!

I’m totally on Team Ben, by the way. Were you on Team Noel or Team Ben?

2. Easter candy. Specifically Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs and Cadbury Mini Eggs.

I mentioned on Twitter that when I bought the bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs on Sunday, Todd bet me that the bag wouldn’t last until Wednesday. Well you better believe I left a few in there all the way through Wednesday. The bag lasted. But on Thursday afternoon, all of those little chocolate candy-coated eggs were g-o-n-e. I won.

3. Lands’ End Canvas. My wardrobe practically transformed overnight for nearly no cost at all. It is such a wonderful discovery. These are the items I can’t get enough of! And if you’re wondering about quality, it’s great. If you’re wondering about sizing, size up. I am not a “small” person, but I ordered a small in the turquoise boyfriend cardigan (shown below) and it is roomy on me. But it’s perfect for me and my lifestyle. I’m positive that I’ll be living in these clothes this summer.

4. Charleston. There’s just a great feeling in the air that is associated with the excitement of being in Charleston this time next week. Good food. Good friends. Great city.

5. Love the One You’re With. I’m currently reading my fourth consecutive Emily Giffin novel and it’s good! Y’all may remember that I posted my 2010 reading list and my goal was to read one book every month this year. I’ve already finished January, February, March, and April, and I’m currently reading the book I picked out for May. Yes, friends, I am a reading machine. You can see what I’ve thought about Firefly Lane, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and Baby Proof if you become my friend on GoodReads.

We’ll be enjoying a fun evening at home tonight. We may take Hudson with us out for an early dinner at a family-friendly restaurant. But we may pick up some salmon at the Fresh Market and stay home. It’s supposed to be in the upper 70s all weekend and I’m so excited to spend some time outside. I have a lunch date with a good friend at Panera tomorrow and a fun Sunday school game night tomorrow night. I’m thinking that Spring is definitely here!

at the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui

It’s hard to believe that it has been almost two years since Todd and I said “I do” on a gorgeous Spring day in Greenville, South Carolina. We celebrated our anniversary last year with a weekend getaway to Savannah and, while it was a great visit, I wasn’t able to completely enjoy myself because I was very pregnant. 36 weeks pregnant. It’s hard to walk on cobblestone streets when your center of gravity is off and your hips are shifting.

This year we decided to go to New York City for five days. We’ve each been to NYC quite a few times, but we’ve never been together. We didn’t want to do too many touristy things, but we did want to see a show every night. We’ll be seeing The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and Jersey Boys while we’re there. We’re both huge musical theater fans and I’m so thankful to have found someone who enjoys it as much as I do. I love New York in the spring time.

photo via here

Here’s where I need your help. Some of my best blog friends have already given me lots of recommendations for places to eat, but I want you to tell me your favorite restaurants, cafes, holes in the wall, dives, and whatever else you want to tell me. Our trip is basically planned aside from where we’ll eat.

I’m definitely feeling committed to Balthazar and that’s about it. We’ll have three evening meals and four daytime meals.

Please tell me your favorite New York City restaurants!

It’s no secret that I had to give up high heels in the third trimester of my pregnancy. My ankles were huge and my whole body was off balance. What I didn’t know, however, was that I’d struggle to master walking in high heels after Hudson was born. I usually only wear my pumps and stilettos on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings, but I always can’t wait to get them off.

Thank goodness the world of flat shoes is so kind! Seriously, there are some adorable flats. My closet is full of Tory Burch and J.Crew flats. Gotta say that any of the Tory Burch flats with elastic backs are God’s gift to mothers. They don’t rub. They don’t squeeze. They just rest on your heels. Amazing on your feet and it makes it so easy to move quickly around the house.

I’m also a huge Enzo Angiolini fan. In college and grad school, I’d always make the trip to Dillard’s to find a great pair of Enzos for an event. They never disappoint when it comes to comfort and they have timeless style. Even after years of wear, I always question my decision to donate an old pair of Enzos.

Look what I found for the Spring! I’m eyeing these three, completely affordable, pairs of flats by Enzo Angiolini.

These images are all from Zappos.com. Did y’all know that Zappos will always match the lowest price if you find the shoe somewhere else? And they always have free shipping– both ways. Three cheers for Zappos.

The Nexter in Yellow/Ivory

The Fiama in Turquoise

The Xcite in Dark Bronze

I have the perfect dress to go with these shoes. I’m pretty much obsessed.

One of my favorite things about living in Columbia is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival in 5 Points. We live steps away from the festival and love going every year. There’s also a parade, and in the past, we’ve loved taking Boudreaux to watch the parade with us. This year I couldn’t wait to bring Hudson to his first parade. We parked our BOB stroller in front of Kicks on Devine Street and had a great time!

wow– look at my roots!

parades make little boys very tired

I want to give a little shout-out to the amazingness that is Lands’ End Canvas. I placed an ordered the other day that included about 12 items and I got them for what it would have cost me to buy three items at J.Crew.

And the scarf I wore today (pictured above) is from Lands’ End Canvas. I think it’s so cute!